Review: All the Stars in the Heavens

Adriana Trigiani takes readers back to the Golden Age of Hollywood in her latest book, All the Stars in the Heavens. It was a time when actors and actresses were under contracts to studios – an arrangement that gave them some security but also required strict moral conduct.

Loretta Young started acting at the age of four and had a very successful career in entertainment. When a young novitiate fails to take her vows as a nun, Loretta hires her as her secretary. Alda becomes much more than a secretary through the years as they become great friends and confidants. Alda helps Loretta navigate the complicated waters of the Hollywood scene when scandal threatens after Loretta becomes involved with co-star Clark Gable.

Going into All the Stars in the Heavens, I knew little about the Golden Age of Hollywood or Loretta Young. I was surprised to learn that she was such a big star. I found her to be down to earth and likable – she worked hard for her family and strove to live her faith. My heart ached for her when her career and the time period put such harsh constraints on her life.

I found the time period fascinating – there was plenty of scandal but the studios managed to cover things up and gloss things over. When scandal came dangerously close to her, Loretta was careful to keep things hidden from all but a select few and it was stressful for her for the rest of her life.

Trigiani continues to wow me – her lush writing brought the period to life in this majestic book. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. I found myself Googling Loretta Young and telling everyone about her. I was eager to discuss the book with others so I think it would make a great book club selection. If you love Hollywood and/or historical fiction, you don’t want to miss All the Stars in the Heavens!

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Adriana Trigiani is an award-winning playwright, television writer, and documentary filmmaker. Her books include the New York Timesbestseller The Shoemaker’s Wife; the Big Stone Gap series; Very Valentine; Brava, Valentine; Lucia, Lucia; and the bestselling memoir Don’t Sing at the Table, as well as the young adult novels Viola in Reel Life and Viola in the Spotlight. She wrote the screenplay for Big Stone Gap, which she also directed. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

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I remember seeing some of Loretta Young’s movies (rerun late at night) when I was a kid. Only in recent years have I heard anything about the scandal with Clark Gable. This book is definitely on my TBR list because I enjoy Trigiani’s novels – I’m glad you loved it!

After reading Big Stone Gap I know want to read more of this author’s books. I’m glad to hear this is about the golden age of Hollywood. I think that would be fun to read about. This author does not seem to be one-dimensional.